request input for .380

I don't know what your budget is but I'll give you a short list of QUALITY handguns that I would rely my life on.

1. SIG 232. A little expensive compared to others but it is quality.
2. CZ 83. Another quality gun. Thicker grip due to higher capacity mag.
3. Beretta 84/85. Great guns! The 84 is thinner(8 rnds), 85 has a thicker grip(13 rnds).
4. Browning BDA. Another very good choice. Vertually a Beretta 85 made for Browning.
5. A Makarov. It comes in .380 or 9mm Mak. It too is a quality weapon. Just another one to consider.

I'm sure others will have more to select from but this is my list of ones I have owned and would consider quality handguns for CCW in the .380 range.

Edited to add: Mauser Hsc and Walther P-series. There are FEG's and Bersa's but I would stick with the better quality guns to defend your life!

If you can find one anything from the Colt 380 family would be great..The Pony or a Mustang are my choice to carry..Both are small and thin but fire from a locked breech just like their big brothers,the Govt model and Gold Cup..
This feature makes recoil more managable and a lighter recoil spring for easier racking..The only problem is that they are getting rather pricey if you can find one..

The problem w/ the 380 round - unless U buy a small one like a Keltec (which is great for a pocket gun), many of the 380s are the same size or larger than the compact 9mms. And, most 380s are blow back design - meaning the have just as much recoil (or more) than a 9mm.

The Keltec is NOT a plinker - a fun 380 to go shoot at the range. But it does make a good CCW weapon - what are your plans for the gun.

i am looking for advise for .380 as a concealed carry weapon. i want it thin and reliable.

Try a Kel-Tec 3AT as it is the perfect pocket gun. I have one with me where ever I go. It's made to be used up close and personal. A 100 rounds at the range would be painful. All other .380s are large and heavy compared to the 3AT. Good luck.

I think as far as thin and reliable, nothing would beat the Sig 232. It's actually a pocket gun, depending on your pockets. It's lighter than the Walther PPK, and Sig-reliable. The blued version is much lighter than the stainless. I have shot a Kel-Tec, and it handles the round very nicely, as well as being a better pocket gun than the Sig.

Ignore those who are dissing the 380. I promise they wouldn't want to take a bullet from one. But try not to shoot at any elephants with it.

I also have the Kel-Tec product, but do not like the lack of a slide lock. I'm not keen on having to use it and finding myself hearing that ominous "click" when I probably need it most!! The .380acp is a low power round, at best, and I will probably need more than one shot to stop an attack!! This fact necessitates the use of spare magazines in a multiple attacker situation, which has become more of the norm, nowadays. Thus, my P3AT is constrained to be my computer desk drawer gun, being slipped into my pocket when I go outside to smoke. For carry, I use the Walther.

Actually, more often than not, I try to carry something in at least 9mm Parabellum, such as my Kahr MK9. The MK9 is every bit as compact as most .380s and chambers a better cartridge!!

You can see from the enclosed pictures that the MK9 is quite small, but is designed to fire full house 9mm +P+ rounds. Justin Moon designed the gun to handle the pressures of 115gr +P+ 9mm ammo loaded to 1300fps!!

Here is the PPK/S for comparison.

The two pistols have identical ammunition capacities (with the optional 7 round Kahr mag) and are similarly sized. The difference is in the more powerful round!!

I think as far as thin and reliable, nothing would beat the Sig 232. It's actually a pocket gun, depending on your pockets. It's lighter than the Walther PPK, and Sig-reliable. The blued version is much lighter than the stainless. I have shot a Kel-Tec, and it handles the round very nicely, as well as being a better pocket gun than the Sig.

Ignore those who are dissing the 380. I promise they wouldn't want to take a bullet from one. But try not to shoot at any elephants with it.

The Sig is a very nice 380. And, I don't knock the 380 round. I had a Colt Pony in the 1990s that was 380. But, U can find 9mms that are the size of that Sig.

Bond. James Bond

Why not just go for a 9mm? The guns are usually around the same size and you will have more options to pick from. 9 costs less than .380 and IMO it is a nicer round to shoot. The .380 seems to have a little snap to it.

Yes, unless U have a specific model of 380 you just like, get a compact 9.

I already had several 9mms at the time, but prev, I cam close to buying a Beretta Cheetah and a Sig 232 - just because I liked the guns themselves. If you have no preference, check out the Glock 26, Karh, XD compact, Walther P99 compact, S&W M&P compact, etc.

In 380 Kel Tec ,PPK/S and Colt Mustang Bersa also.
Now in 9mm my 3913 S&W is almost exact size my Bersa. Its a single stack 9mm rounds 8+1 approx 4oz more weight. I pocket carry but better IWB.
I like 380 and the KT can't be beat for pocket. Mine over 500 trouble free rounds But not for 100 round or more range shooting. It a close up SD pistol and a shoot some at range gun. As for more than 1 attacker I don't think many will stick around when their buddy takes a couple . No one really want shot not even so call BG's